500.A15A4 General Committee/423: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:50 p.m.]
676. Following the discussion of the no force pact (see my 675, May 30, 7 p.m.) in the General Commission this afternoon the first reading of parts III (exchange of information) and IV (chemical et cetera warfare) of the British draft was concluded.
During the consideration of part IV Wilson explained briefly the importance attached by the Government of the United States to the use of lachry [lachrymatory] gas for police purposes and other minor objections to the draft.
[Page 175]The German and Little Entente delegations insisted upon the complete abolition of chemical et cetera warfare, not permitting their use even for retaliatory purposes. In the opinion of the Little Entente collective sanctions should be established to take the place of measures of retaliation. Thereupon Boncour served notice on behalf of the French delegation that the question of sanctions to be provided for any violation of the convention would be raised at a subsequent date.
No discussion of part V (miscellaneous provisions) will be held until Thursday to permit the French delegation to present certain amendments relating to control.
Since this is the only remaining section of the British draft left for the first reading Henderson is summoning for tomorrow afternoon a meeting of the Bureau to consider the full extent of program of work for the Conference and to discuss possibilities of carrying on beyond the 10th of June or of adjourning at about that date.